Abstract: The present invention provides partially crystallizing lead-free and cadmium-free glass enamel composition that fuse at low temperatures. Glass enamel compositions according to the present invention form predominantly bismuth titanate and optionally zinc titanate crystals upon firing. Preferably, glass enamel compositions according to the invention include a glass component that includes by weight from about 11% to about 52% SiO2, from 10.2% to about 40% TiO2, from about 5% to about 75% Bi2O3, up to about 8% B2O3, up to about 14% BaO+SrO, and up to about 45% by weight ZnO, where the sum of Bi2O3 and ZnO comprises from about 30% to about 85% of the glass component by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decorating a ceramic article including: providing an ink composition including a metallic soap, the ink composition being a viscous oil or waxy solid at about 25° C.; heating the ink composition to reduce its viscosity to less than about 40 centipoise; depositing micro-droplets of the heated ink composition upon the ceramic article; and firing the ceramic article in an oxidizing atmosphere. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the ink composition is substantially solvent-free.

Abstract: The present invention provides partially crystallizing lead-free and cadmium-free glass enamel composition that fuse at low temperatures. Glass enamel compositions according to the present invention form predominantly bismuth titanate and optionally zinc titanate crystals upon firing. Preferably, glass enamel compositions according to the invention include a glass component that includes by weight from about 11% to about 52% SiO2, from 10.2% to about 40% TiO2, from about 5% to about 75% Bi2O3, up to about 8% B2O3, up to about 14% BaO+SrO, and up to about 45% by weight ZnO, where the sum of Bi2O3 and ZnO comprises from about 30% to about 85% of the glass component by weight.

Abstract: A method for continuously calcinating product to form mixed metal oxide powders comprising providing a continuously operated indirectly heated rotary furnace having a heating cavity, introducing raw feedstock including product to be calcined into the heating cavity of the furnace while the heating cavity is maintained at temperature, and maintaining a controlled atmosphere in the heating cavity during the heating of the feedstock, and discharging and recovering the mixed metal oxide powders.

Abstract: A method for continuously calcinating product to form mixed metal oxide powders comprising providing a continuously operated indirectly heated rotary furnace having a heating cavity, introducing raw feedstock including product to be calcined into the heating cavity of the furnace while the heating cavity is maintained at temperature, and maintaining a controlled atmosphere in the heating cavity during the heating of the feedstock, and discharging and recovering the mixed metal oxide powders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decorating a ceramic article including: providing an ink composition including a metallic soap, the ink composition being a viscous oil or waxy solid at about 25° C.; heating the ink composition to reduce its viscosity to less than about 40 centipoise; depositing micro-droplets of the heated ink composition upon the ceramic article; and firing the ceramic article in an oxidizing atmosphere. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the ink composition is substantially solvent-free.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved lead-free and cadmium-free glass enamel composition that displays good flow at traditional glass enamel firing temperatures and upon firing produces an enamel finish that displays no cracking, good chemical resistance, good weatherability, and improved color values. The glass enamel composition of the present invention includes a glass component, an oxidizer, a pigment system, and optional vehicles and fillers. The presence of the oxidizer in the composition, which can be included as part of the glass component, as a separately added material, or both, improves the color values of the fired enamel as compared to enamels formed using similar glass enamel compositions having no oxidizer present.

Abstract: The present invention provides lead and cadmium free glass enamel compositions. In one embodiment of the invention, glass frits include from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, less than about 3 percent by weight alkali metal oxides, less than about 3 percent by weight ZnO, less than about 1 percent by weight B.sub.2 O.sub.3, and precursors from which Bi.sub.2 SiO.sub.5 can be crystallized upon firing, said precursors including Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2. Glass frits according to the present invention preferably further include up to about 25 percent by weight of coloring oxides, such as CeO.sub.2, Co.sub.3 O.sub.4, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SnO, Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3, CuO, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, MnO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, NiO, and V.sub.2 O.sub.5. By incorporating various amounts of coloring oxides into the compositions, the degree of crystallization and the rate at which crystallization occurs upon firing of the compositions can be controlled.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of mixed metal oxide crystalline powders comprises the steps of preparing a raw material mixture containing at least two different metal cations; adding a template material to the mixture and blending it therewith; initiating formation of a mixed metal oxide by calcination of the mixture and the template material, whereby particles of the mixed metal oxides are formed; and thereafter recovering the mixed metal oxide particles. Mixed metal oxide crystalline powders comprise a template material; and metal oxides which form pigment classes of material containing the template material, the pigment classes being selected from the group consisting of borate, garnet, olivine, phenacite, phosphate, priderite, pyrochlore, sphene, spinel and zircon, as well as perovskite crystal classes of material containing the template, all of which have a uniform particle morphology and particle size ranging between about 0.2 to 100.mu. with minimal comminution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of finely divided dispersible alpha-alumina monohydrate (boehmite) from alumina trihydrate is disclosed. The alumina trihydrate is calcined thereby increasing the surface area through a partial dehydration. The calcined intermediate is slurried in water and autoclaved to achieve crystallization and rehydration. Conventional drying methods are used to obtain the particles. The particle size of the product is much smaller than that of the starting raw material.